Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Reposted by Sustainable Space Initiative

Astro Ecologies @astroecologies.bsky.social · Sep 14

For folk interested in international perspectives on SETI (the search for extraterrestrial intelligence): a presentation from @gabriela-radulescu.bsky.social on Armenia & the former Czechoslovakia combining science, politics & ancient cultural–astronomical traditions.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=059T...

Earthly & extraterrestrial connections: CETI/SETI in Armenia & Czechoslovakia | Gabriela Radulescu

YouTube video by Cosmoimaginaries

www.youtube.com

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jul 10

Their comments arise from our latest findings on Aotearoa NZ's aerospace sector and sustainability with @sarahhbickerton.bsky.social & team: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Sustainability within Aotearoa New Zealand’s aerospace sector: current state and implications for the future

Aotearoa New Zealand's rapidly growing aerospace sector is still in its infancy, which presents us with the unique opportunity to incorporate sustainability as a key performance parameter from the ...

www.tandfonline.com

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jul 10

Our members @drpriaero.bsky.social and @catherineq.bsky.social quoted in @thespinoff.bsky.social on NZ's MethaneSat involvement:

thespinoff.co.nz/the-bulletin...

What went wrong with MethaneSat – and who should answer for it?

New Zealand’s first publicly funded space mission has ended with a lost satellite and a debate about how we spend our money in space.<br />

thespinoff.co.nz

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jul 2

Read the latest paper on successful launch site planning co-authored by our lead @drpriaero.bsky.social

🗞 csps.aerospace.org/papers/space...

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Reposted by Sustainable Space Initiative

Priyanka Dhopade @drpriaero.bsky.social · Jul 2

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🔗 Read the full paper here: csps.aerospace.org/papers/space...
📍Published by the Center for Space Policy & Strategy @ Aerospace Corporation

With support from:
Sustainable Space Initiative @ University of Auckland

#spaceports #spacesustainability #spacestrategy #AotearoaInSpace

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Reposted by Sustainable Space Initiative

Priyanka Dhopade @drpriaero.bsky.social · Jul 2

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✅ Looking offshore?
Floating launch/landing platforms could relieve land-use pressures — but they come with serious engineering & cost challenges.

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Reposted by Sustainable Space Initiative

Priyanka Dhopade @drpriaero.bsky.social · Jul 2

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✅ Spaceports don’t succeed in isolation.
They need ecosystems:
⚙️ Supporting infrastructure
👩‍🔬 Talent pipelines
📜 Regulation
🤝 Public-private partnerships
(NZ is doing some things right here!)

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Reposted by Sustainable Space Initiative

Priyanka Dhopade @drpriaero.bsky.social · Jul 2

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✅ Trust is key.
Opaque processes & poor consultation — especially with Indigenous communities — can derail projects before they launch.

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Reposted by Sustainable Space Initiative

Priyanka Dhopade @drpriaero.bsky.social · Jul 2

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✅ Not all spaceports deliver promised benefits.
Our US & NZ case studies show failed projections, financial shortfalls & community opposition where stakeholder engagement was weak.

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Reposted by Sustainable Space Initiative

Priyanka Dhopade @drpriaero.bsky.social · Jul 2

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✅ Forecasting launch demand is tricky.
Satellite filings often overestimate demand — only a fraction of proposed satellites actually make it to orbit.

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Reposted by Sustainable Space Initiative

Priyanka Dhopade @drpriaero.bsky.social · Jul 2

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✅ Spaceport ambitions must be grounded in practical realities.
Launch sites should balance space aspirations with regional economic, environmental & social needs.

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 10

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Read more about Sarah’s work and the SSI’s research into space sustainability in Aotearoa: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Sustainability within Aotearoa New Zealand’s aerospace sector: current state and implications for the future

Aotearoa New Zealand's rapidly growing aerospace sector is still in its infancy, which presents us with the unique opportunity to incorporate sustainability as a key performance parameter from the ...

www.tandfonline.com

Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 10

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Her work reminds us: sustainability isn’t just technical—it’s social. It’s about systems, stories, and power.

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 10

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She helps the SSI ask questions like:
🌌 Who defines “sustainability” in space?
🌌 How do policy, culture & communication shape governance?
🌌 How can we ensure diverse voices & values guide our space future?

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 10

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Now, she’s turning that lens to space.

Sarah’s helps us critically examine how sustainability is understood and implemented in Aotearoa’s emerging space sector—who’s involved, what assumptions are made, and what narratives guide our national direction.

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 10

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Her PhD explored how women in Aotearoa construct political participation in digital spaces—interrogating voice, power, and identity through a transdisciplinary lens.

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 10

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Sarah is based at the Public Policy Institute & School of Social Sciences, @aucklanduni.bsky.social. She brings a unique background in astrophysics, sociology, gender studies, and public policy to her work with the SSI.

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 10

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To showcase the breadth of expertise behind the Sustainable Space Initiative (SSI), we’re profiling each of our members 👇

Next up: Dr. @sarahhbickerton.bsky.social — political sociologist, public policy researcher, and cross-disciplinary thinker. 🛰️🌏

Woman smiling with a sci-fi space background

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 7

5/ His approach? Exploring what’s probable, plausible, possible—and preferable—so we can act deliberately today to build a better tomorrow. 💡

📖 Learn more about Adam’s work in strategic foresight: climateconnectnz.com/news/futures...

Futures and Foresight: How to use these useful frameworks to prepare for change

Futures and Foresight provide important insight and knowledge to inform innovation and experimentation

climateconnectnz.com

Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 7

4/ At SSI, Adam applies futures thinking to aerospace sustainability:

🌏 How might launch infrastructure evolve with global climate goals?
🛰️ What governance models will protect the orbital commons?
🚀 How do we build long-term thinking into rapid innovation?

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 7

3/ From conducting environmental impact assessments for international mining projects…
To developing low carbon strategies for Kent County Council…
To advising on climate resilience and aerospace sustainability…

Adam bridges science with strategy to shape better futures.

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 7

2/ Adam is Principal Strategic Advisor in Auckland Council’s Strategic Advice Unit, with a background spanning planetary science, mining, public policy, and futures thinking.

His PhD? In Space & Planetary Science.
His mission? Helping society navigate complexity.

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Jun 7

1/ To showcase the breadth of expertise behind the Sustainable Space Initiative, we’re profiling each of our members 👇

Meet Dr Adam Morris – a strategic foresight expert helping communities and decision-makers explore not just one future, but many. 🧵

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · May 16

Huge congrats to Ronda Geise on completing her Master’s in Mechanical Engineering @UniAuckland! Her futures-focused research analysed global space strategies for sustainability. Now being submitted to Earth System Governance Journal—well done, Ronda! 🚀🌍 #SpaceSustainability #STEM

Woman smiling on stage in graduation regalia

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Sustainable Space Initiative @ssinz.bsky.social · Mar 20

Why should NZ care about space sustainability? Our research lead @drpriaero.bsky.social introduces our work in this research impact video commissioned by Uni of Auckland.

youtu.be/gnI8x2UUR1Q?...

Impact stories | Creating research impact with Dr Priyanka Dhopa

YouTube video by University of Auckland - Website video repository

youtu.be

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